Indian Railways has introduced a dedicated weekly summer special train connecting Chhapra in Bihar to Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi.
The service will operate from 14 May to 17 July 2025, catering to the high seasonal demand for mobility across northern India, especially among migrant workers, students, and families returning home or heading for employment hubs. The special initiative reflects Indian Railways’ growing focus on demand-responsive scheduling and regional connectivity. The new train, assigned numbers 05113 and 05114, will make ten weekly round trips during this limited-time summer window. Departing from Chhapra every Wednesday at 3:45 PM, it will reach Anand Vihar Terminal by 2:25 PM the next day. This extended window of operation, combined with stops at critical junctures like Gorakhpur, Thawe Junction, and Dighwa Dubauli, enhances access for passengers travelling from eastern Uttar Pradesh and northern Bihar — regions that typically see heavy outbound movement to the National Capital Region (NCR).
What distinguishes this special service is not just its timing, but also its broader significance. For decades, passengers in this corridor have struggled with chronic overcrowding, long waitlists, and infrequent direct services to Delhi. The introduction of this summer special acts as a practical response to long-standing public demand. Its route selection, passing through regional junctions, further integrates remote communities into mainstream mobility networks. While the number of trips is limited, the initiative sets a template for seasonal transport planning, blending economic access with operational feasibility.
In an era when urban migration and rural-urban linkages are intensifying, railway interventions like this are vital to shaping an inclusive transport ecosystem. It also opens the door for deeper conversations on sustainable public mobility. With fewer emissions per capita compared to road or air travel, trains remain the most carbon-efficient mode for long-distance journeys. Every additional train like this potentially diverts thousands of road travellers and helps reduce the carbon footprint, easing congestion and air pollution across urban corridors. Bookings for the service have opened both online and offline, including IRCTC platforms and authorised counters. Given the expected spike in demand, advance reservation is strongly encouraged. The train offers a mix of economy and premium classes, ensuring affordability without compromising on comfort. The frequency may be weekly, but its impact could be far-reaching not just in passenger convenience, but in policy modelling for future peak-season services.
While temporary in nature, this Chhapra–Delhi summer special encapsulates the broader objective of equitable mobility to bridge the distance between opportunity and origin. Its success could lay the groundwork for a more decentralised, demand-led rail strategy that places people, rather than logistics, at its core.
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